Registered sex offender John Albert Gardner III is a focus of the investigation into the death of Amber Dubois, the high school freshman whose skeletal remains were discovered Saturday in northern San Diego County.
The announcement Monday afternoon by the Escondido Police Department is the first time authorities have acknowledged that Gardner, 30, may be linked to the case.
Gardner is being held without bail after being charged last week with the suspected murder of Chelsea King, a 17-year-old from nearby Poway.
His arrest renewed attention on the disappearance of Dubois, who was last seen on her way to school in February 2009.
Dubois’ remains were found Saturday in rugged terrain near Pala off Interstate 15.
Authorities, who continued searching for clues on the remote hillside, have yet to disclose the nature of the tip that led them to the area.
— Richard Marosi in San Diego
Photos: King, Gardner, Dubois. Fox 5 Dan Diego